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Say You Love Me
Why say how you feel when you can show it?
Two years after Brooke Lewis had her heart broken and life turned upside down, she was convinced she would never find love again. Nor did she want to. After reluctantly agreeing to her best friend's pleas to start dating again, she tried and failed. Until the bartender on one of her dates threw her for a loop and made her question everything.
Taylor Thompson didn't believe in soulmates or love at first sight, but she definitely felt something the first moment she laid eyes on Brooke at the bar. Something that only intensified the more time they spent together. As Brooke deals with increasing worries over her mother's health, and tries to protect her own heart, Taylor blissfully finds herself falling even more head over heels.
This steamy, age-gap romance will leave you longing for more and rooting for two women who just can't seem to tell the other how much they truly care.
Two years after Brooke Lewis had her heart broken and life turned upside down, she was convinced she would never find love again. Nor did she want to. After reluctantly agreeing to her best friend's pleas to start dating again, she tried and failed. Until the bartender on one of her dates threw her for a loop and made her question everything.
Taylor Thompson didn't believe in soulmates or love at first sight, but she definitely felt something the first moment she laid eyes on Brooke at the bar. Something that only intensified the more time they spent together. As Brooke deals with increasing worries over her mother's health, and tries to protect her own heart, Taylor blissfully finds herself falling even more head over heels.
This steamy, age-gap romance will leave you longing for more and rooting for two women who just can't seem to tell the other how much they truly care.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2023
137 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Murphy
2 books42 followersRachel Murphy has spent her whole life daydreaming about being a writer. After taking years off to focus on her non-writing career, she’s diving back in to return to her passion of Sapphic love stories. She’s a Native New Yorker who refuses to move out of the Big Apple, except in the world of fiction. Follow her on Instagram @rachelmurphybooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 26, 2023
OMG. I binged this book in one night, I couldn't put it down!! Brooke and Taylor are made for each other! There was another reviewer that stated this book has low angst, but I would say it has just the right amount of angst! I laughed, I cried, and the steamy scenes were soooo good. The side characters are fun too, minus the assholes. A 10-year age gap is not even that big of a gap (IMO), so I could definitely picture this relationship!
Loved it! I will re-read it many more times!
Loved it! I will re-read it many more times!
November 16, 2023
Love Brooke and Taylor 🥰🔥❤️
Laughed and cried all my way to end. Definitely will read this again! ❤️
Laughed and cried all my way to end. Definitely will read this again! ❤️
January 16, 2025
Rachel Murphy's Say You Love Me delivers a sweet and steamy sapphic romance that hooks you from the first page. This story brings together Brooke, a guarded woman recovering from heartbreak, and Taylor, a charming bartender with an infectious zest for life. Their chemistry crackles immediately, setting the stage for a heartfelt age-gap romance that’s equal parts tender and passionate.
Taylor is, without a doubt, the heart of the story. She’s magnetic, compassionate, and so easy to root for, making her an absolute standout as a love interest. Brooke, on the other hand, wrestles with deeply ingrained insecurities stemming from her divorce and family struggles. While her inner dialogue occasionally leans into repetitive negativity, it’s an honest portrayal of how self-doubt can cloud judgment and impact relationships. Brooke's journey feels authentic, and seeing her begin to open up to love again is deeply satisfying.
Murphy's writing balances emotional depth with heat, and the result is a romance that feels both grounded and swoon-worthy. The chemistry between Brooke and Taylor leaps off the page, and their moments together range from playful and flirty to achingly vulnerable. The subplot surrounding Brooke's mother adds weight to the narrative, highlighting the ways life’s challenges can shape our choices in love.
As my first introduction to Rachel Murphy’s work, Say You Love Me left a strong impression. It’s an enjoyable read with characters who feel real and relatable, even in their imperfections. I’m already looking forward to diving into more of Murphy’s stories. If you’re a fan of age-gap romances with plenty of steam and heart, this one’s for you.
*Side note: I buddy read this with my wife and we had so much fun chatting about these characters!
Taylor is, without a doubt, the heart of the story. She’s magnetic, compassionate, and so easy to root for, making her an absolute standout as a love interest. Brooke, on the other hand, wrestles with deeply ingrained insecurities stemming from her divorce and family struggles. While her inner dialogue occasionally leans into repetitive negativity, it’s an honest portrayal of how self-doubt can cloud judgment and impact relationships. Brooke's journey feels authentic, and seeing her begin to open up to love again is deeply satisfying.
Murphy's writing balances emotional depth with heat, and the result is a romance that feels both grounded and swoon-worthy. The chemistry between Brooke and Taylor leaps off the page, and their moments together range from playful and flirty to achingly vulnerable. The subplot surrounding Brooke's mother adds weight to the narrative, highlighting the ways life’s challenges can shape our choices in love.
As my first introduction to Rachel Murphy’s work, Say You Love Me left a strong impression. It’s an enjoyable read with characters who feel real and relatable, even in their imperfections. I’m already looking forward to diving into more of Murphy’s stories. If you’re a fan of age-gap romances with plenty of steam and heart, this one’s for you.
*Side note: I buddy read this with my wife and we had so much fun chatting about these characters!
August 25, 2023
hmm
Low angst the blurb said! LOW…my heart was in my throat the entire book. I know it’s a book, I’m not that silly…but why don’t people talk to each other! You could feel the blow up coming from the early days of the relationship when they each assumed what the other was feeling or thinking.
The 2 main characters are super sweet but annoying as I mentioned above…a good mix of side characters as well, even the 2 you will hate.
Overall it’s a great story and a HEA that you knew was coming, you just had to get through the misunderstandings and the talk needed to get to it. I would happily read it again in the future.
Low angst the blurb said! LOW…my heart was in my throat the entire book. I know it’s a book, I’m not that silly…but why don’t people talk to each other! You could feel the blow up coming from the early days of the relationship when they each assumed what the other was feeling or thinking.
The 2 main characters are super sweet but annoying as I mentioned above…a good mix of side characters as well, even the 2 you will hate.
Overall it’s a great story and a HEA that you knew was coming, you just had to get through the misunderstandings and the talk needed to get to it. I would happily read it again in the future.
August 27, 2024
Whoever said this was “low angst” was lying. I’d still read it again though… spoilers below.
The miscommunication, the assumptions, and the situation Brooke was experiencing with her mother that hit a little too close to home, had me frustrated and crying at different points in the book. I wanted to scream at Brooke to just talk to Taylor about her feelings and worries, and I really couldn’t blame Taylor for being too nervous to tell Brooke how she felt after the whole not wanting to meet the parents thing. Overall though the relationship between the two was sweet and I was rooting for them all along. The sex scenes were also definitely steamy at parts. Even though there was a lot of angst for me, I’m still giving this book a 4.5 for making me root so hard for the couple, supportive best friends and family, and all the sugar in between.
The miscommunication, the assumptions, and the situation Brooke was experiencing with her mother that hit a little too close to home, had me frustrated and crying at different points in the book. I wanted to scream at Brooke to just talk to Taylor about her feelings and worries, and I really couldn’t blame Taylor for being too nervous to tell Brooke how she felt after the whole not wanting to meet the parents thing. Overall though the relationship between the two was sweet and I was rooting for them all along. The sex scenes were also definitely steamy at parts. Even though there was a lot of angst for me, I’m still giving this book a 4.5 for making me root so hard for the couple, supportive best friends and family, and all the sugar in between.
September 4, 2024
This book had me smiling at my kindle like an IDIOT. The love story is sweet AND spicy. It’s probably one of the best examples of the progression of dating someone you really like. However, Brooke’s inability to communicate and her self sabotaging reallyyyy frustrated me! I understand that it’s baggage from the trauma her ex put her through but I’m too openly communicative to understand this point of view. I can understand her acting like that in the moment or for a certain amount of time but it just went on for too long for it to be believable for me personally. I would’ve folded way before Brooke did and I didn’t enjoy watching her hurt someone she loves.
June 24, 2024
This was a sweet love story until the miscommunication and lies started. Then it spiraled down for me. I don't like the angst caused by not communicating. A little bit of that, I can get past. But there was way too much of it. It got really frustrating. I do highly recommend this book unless angsty books bother you. ;D
October 30, 2023
I enjoyed this and read it in one go. The angst wasn't too much and the fluff was just right (I sound like goldilocks).
April 23, 2025
I liked this novel a lot. The writing was excellent, and the characters were incredibly well developed. Things got messy in this novel, but it all worked really well and made sense for the characters and situations. I was invested in the story throughout and genuinely rooting for the characters even when they were being dumb. This is a low-5-stars for me because there were some annoying bits near the end, but ill still stand by this final score and recommend this novel to others.
My Rating: “A-“
Converted Rating: 5-Stars
Highlights:
-This novel was great at showing both characters interests in the other, their longing, and attraction. The author did a great job showing WHY they were interested in each other and I really appreciated it because it made it easy to go along for the ride with a second-hand crush. Far too many novels just dive into them being interested in each other without really saying what made it happen. This is particularly important “if” there is some sort of conflict later on in the novel, because as the reader I fully understand the motivations for them to get through it and I’m rooting for them to get together.
-The characters were written to be complex and feel very real. There was a lot of backstory and depth of detail. I am a character person if you can’t tell, so this worked for me in a big way.
-Messy and complicated relationships done SO well! This wasn’t a clean and easy storybook romance, there were many issues to be had. Everything made so much sense though and even when I hated the characters choices, I could easily understand them and empathize. These characters were very human.
-When everyone is hurting and upset, and everyone did bad things, and the reader completely gets it and is just rooting for everyone… it’s a good bit of writing.
Nitpicks:
-I did NOT love all of the failure to communicate between these characters. If you specifically hate that (like me) you might want to steer clear. As said above though, its done about as well as this plot trope could be handled.
-Brooke got really annoying near the end. Lots of assumptions were being made and it got repetitive. I get insecurities, but it needs to be cut off at a certain point.
My Rating: “A-“
Converted Rating: 5-Stars
Highlights:
-This novel was great at showing both characters interests in the other, their longing, and attraction. The author did a great job showing WHY they were interested in each other and I really appreciated it because it made it easy to go along for the ride with a second-hand crush. Far too many novels just dive into them being interested in each other without really saying what made it happen. This is particularly important “if” there is some sort of conflict later on in the novel, because as the reader I fully understand the motivations for them to get through it and I’m rooting for them to get together.
-The characters were written to be complex and feel very real. There was a lot of backstory and depth of detail. I am a character person if you can’t tell, so this worked for me in a big way.
-Messy and complicated relationships done SO well! This wasn’t a clean and easy storybook romance, there were many issues to be had. Everything made so much sense though and even when I hated the characters choices, I could easily understand them and empathize. These characters were very human.
-When everyone is hurting and upset, and everyone did bad things, and the reader completely gets it and is just rooting for everyone… it’s a good bit of writing.
Nitpicks:
-I did NOT love all of the failure to communicate between these characters. If you specifically hate that (like me) you might want to steer clear. As said above though, its done about as well as this plot trope could be handled.
-Brooke got really annoying near the end. Lots of assumptions were being made and it got repetitive. I get insecurities, but it needs to be cut off at a certain point.
January 21, 2025
This was a low-angst and sweet romance but I have to rate it lower because of a bunch of little things that really confused/annoyed me and they added up.
The non-spoilery thing is the way this book treats age. There is an age gap here (40-year-old and 30-year-old) and the characters seem to think it is more like a 40 and 20-year-old gap. There is a literal point where the older character says that in five years she'll be forty-five and the younger character (who would be 35 at this time, mind you) would find life with her boring and slow. Lady, 45 is hardly one foot in the grave, I do not know why we are talking about it like it's retirement home time or something.
On the other side of the spectrum, the thirty-year-old and her similarly-aged friends are treated like they are 20, from being referred to as "girls" to assuming they want to constantly party, travel, and not settle down, which is extremely odd. Thirty is also not 80, but it's also not quite immature and inexperienced like someone fresh out of their teens, which is the way it feels sometimes in this book. I suspect if the age gap was larger, this would make more sense, or perhaps if the younger character were 25 and the older was in her forties, it may make more sense but a ten-year age gap isn't really much if you're 30 and 40 so I'm confused at the way the characters view it.
The spoiler stuff that dragged down my enjoyment was
Anyway, TL:DR; these are grown-ass adult women and should be able to communicate at least a little bit but they do not AT ALL, which frustrated me throughout. Also, the forty-year-old acts like she is one step shy of a retirement home and that the 30-year-old is fresh out of college with all her life to live and wild oats to sow, which is very off-putting to me as well. If none of that puts you off, you'll likely enjoy this, as many have, but it wasn't for me, unfortunately.
The non-spoilery thing is the way this book treats age. There is an age gap here (40-year-old and 30-year-old) and the characters seem to think it is more like a 40 and 20-year-old gap. There is a literal point where the older character says that in five years she'll be forty-five and the younger character (who would be 35 at this time, mind you) would find life with her boring and slow. Lady, 45 is hardly one foot in the grave, I do not know why we are talking about it like it's retirement home time or something.
On the other side of the spectrum, the thirty-year-old and her similarly-aged friends are treated like they are 20, from being referred to as "girls" to assuming they want to constantly party, travel, and not settle down, which is extremely odd. Thirty is also not 80, but it's also not quite immature and inexperienced like someone fresh out of their teens, which is the way it feels sometimes in this book. I suspect if the age gap was larger, this would make more sense, or perhaps if the younger character were 25 and the older was in her forties, it may make more sense but a ten-year age gap isn't really much if you're 30 and 40 so I'm confused at the way the characters view it.
The spoiler stuff that dragged down my enjoyment was
Anyway, TL:DR; these are grown-ass adult women and should be able to communicate at least a little bit but they do not AT ALL, which frustrated me throughout. Also, the forty-year-old acts like she is one step shy of a retirement home and that the 30-year-old is fresh out of college with all her life to live and wild oats to sow, which is very off-putting to me as well. If none of that puts you off, you'll likely enjoy this, as many have, but it wasn't for me, unfortunately.
September 17, 2024
After feeling let down with my 3 prior books, I dove into my TBR pile and I’m so happy I did. We follow 40 year old Brooke and 30 year old Taylor over the course of their relationship. The chemistry is great, the dialogue is well written, and story moves at a good pace. It’s very low angst (which pleases my mushy little heart) and the stresses on the relationship are extremely reasonable and relatable.
And the spice? It’s fantastic. Really, really good. Not the usual trope of the older MC wanting to be dominated by the younger MC. It was really sweet and tender. If you want an easy read that will make you happy, pick this one up.
And the spice? It’s fantastic. Really, really good. Not the usual trope of the older MC wanting to be dominated by the younger MC. It was really sweet and tender. If you want an easy read that will make you happy, pick this one up.
September 1, 2023
Real
Enjoyable story of a 2nd chance at love for one main character and 1st time love for the other. Walking the joys and pain that is life. Showing love can over come fear with a leap of faith. Great read!!!
Enjoyable story of a 2nd chance at love for one main character and 1st time love for the other. Walking the joys and pain that is life. Showing love can over come fear with a leap of faith. Great read!!!
October 22, 2024
There were a lot of great elements in the this book… Brooke and Taylor were wonderful characters, there was an age gap that felt like it actually meant something to the story instead of being promptly ignored, the text conversations were excellent, Nina was an amazing friend, there romantic arc was given time to breathe and build up naturally…
There was one thing that kind of bothered me, though. Brooke and Taylor individually realized they were in love, but each for their own reasons decided it must be one-sided and they couldn’t tell the other for fear of — rejection, losing what they had going, whatever. And I get that, I do. But it went on for a Really. Long. Time. So long, it caused problems in their relationship because each became convinced the other must not actually have feelings because they never said so. Now, this made for drama and angst and everything that’s good in a story, sure. But at some point, it just stretches the bounds of plausibility. I mean, if these people are in love, shouldn’t it be bursting out of them whether their brain wants to override it or not?!? I can see sitting on it for a little bit, but so much that
To the story’s credit, the aftermath was handled really well, and the eventual emotional exchange was spectacular. I could have wished for more epilogue, a little more payoff after all the drama, but hey, I’ve been told before to just use my damn imagination, lol.
So I don’t know, like I said, there were a lot of great elements. And a story that made me contemplate “what is this crazy thing we call love?” But I feel like to be five stars, I would have had to be thinking about that the day afterward, not grappling with it in the middle of the story.
There was one thing that kind of bothered me, though. Brooke and Taylor individually realized they were in love, but each for their own reasons decided it must be one-sided and they couldn’t tell the other for fear of — rejection, losing what they had going, whatever. And I get that, I do. But it went on for a Really. Long. Time. So long, it caused problems in their relationship because each became convinced the other must not actually have feelings because they never said so. Now, this made for drama and angst and everything that’s good in a story, sure. But at some point, it just stretches the bounds of plausibility. I mean, if these people are in love, shouldn’t it be bursting out of them whether their brain wants to override it or not?!? I can see sitting on it for a little bit, but so much that
To the story’s credit, the aftermath was handled really well, and the eventual emotional exchange was spectacular. I could have wished for more epilogue, a little more payoff after all the drama, but hey, I’ve been told before to just use my damn imagination, lol.
So I don’t know, like I said, there were a lot of great elements. And a story that made me contemplate “what is this crazy thing we call love?” But I feel like to be five stars, I would have had to be thinking about that the day afterward, not grappling with it in the middle of the story.
April 20, 2025
I was completely taken with the characters—each one felt textured, real, and fully alive on the page. The age-gap dynamic was handled with honesty and care, acknowledging the complexities that come with that kind of relationship, rather than romanticizing or glossing over them. And I was 100% here for it being a sapphic love story; if this had been a hetero couple, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up (oops, but not sorry).
That said, I struggled a bit with some of the pop culture references - mentions of TikTok, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande… it just pulled me out of the story. I get that the book is set in the 2020s, and for many readers, that makes it feel current and relevant. But for me, it felt a little too rooted in our world. I tend to escape into fiction to get away from all that, so when real-world details creep in, it clashes with my reading vibe. I know that might make me sound a bit naive, but hey - give me a fictional universe over our messy reality any day.
Still, despite my pop culture gripes, the author absolutely nailed the emotional beats. The tension was delicious, the dialogue sharp and intimate, and the chemistry between the characters was undeniable. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you - not because of the world it reflects, but because of the people it brings to life.
That said, I struggled a bit with some of the pop culture references - mentions of TikTok, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande… it just pulled me out of the story. I get that the book is set in the 2020s, and for many readers, that makes it feel current and relevant. But for me, it felt a little too rooted in our world. I tend to escape into fiction to get away from all that, so when real-world details creep in, it clashes with my reading vibe. I know that might make me sound a bit naive, but hey - give me a fictional universe over our messy reality any day.
Still, despite my pop culture gripes, the author absolutely nailed the emotional beats. The tension was delicious, the dialogue sharp and intimate, and the chemistry between the characters was undeniable. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you - not because of the world it reflects, but because of the people it brings to life.
November 3, 2023
Don’t hold back the truth.
Withholding the truth, can often be as destructive as telling a lie.
Brooke is a spectacular 40 year old woman, who sadly carries with her the scars of a betrayal that ended her long time marriage.
Crushed and damaged, all she can see in any future relationship is the possibility of more grief.
Against her better instincts she allows a vivacious young woman into her life, and while she is convinced that such a relationship can only bring her more heartbreak, the chemistry is so overpowering that she blindly allows a relationship to take hold of her life.
Taylor, ten years her junior does not care about the 10 year gap dives in body and soul, but must confront all the walls that Brook has built up to protect her once shattered heart.
This is a very passionate novel, that asks, is it better to live in the moment while fearing the future’s possible heartbreak, or live with out passion to avoid the possible catastrophe of disappointment and anguish of a possible betrayal.
Withholding the truth, can often be as destructive as telling a lie.
Brooke is a spectacular 40 year old woman, who sadly carries with her the scars of a betrayal that ended her long time marriage.
Crushed and damaged, all she can see in any future relationship is the possibility of more grief.
Against her better instincts she allows a vivacious young woman into her life, and while she is convinced that such a relationship can only bring her more heartbreak, the chemistry is so overpowering that she blindly allows a relationship to take hold of her life.
Taylor, ten years her junior does not care about the 10 year gap dives in body and soul, but must confront all the walls that Brook has built up to protect her once shattered heart.
This is a very passionate novel, that asks, is it better to live in the moment while fearing the future’s possible heartbreak, or live with out passion to avoid the possible catastrophe of disappointment and anguish of a possible betrayal.
November 8, 2023
An Engaging and Emotional Read!
This book was so good. It had a lot of heart. Brooke is a forty year old divorced woman who is trying to move on. After following her ex through their marriage of no kids, traveling and working, only for her to find out she’s pregnant. Cheating on Brooke with a man is one thing but to be pregnant when it was her idea to not have kids left Brooke shattered realizing what she gave up for her. Now her best friend has convinced her to do the online dating thing to get her feet wet after so many years married but the bartender has something to say. Taylor knows what the gorgeous blonde is going through. After her breakup, she has had a hard time finding someone. She will be turning thirty soon , Maybe I am ready for something more. When these two try to make a go of it, it is fun and flirty. But feelings are starting to show through but neither one wants to scare the other with talking about it. But when you don’t talk or say what you are feeling, things get misunderstood and before you know it what is so good is now so bad. A Must Read!
This book was so good. It had a lot of heart. Brooke is a forty year old divorced woman who is trying to move on. After following her ex through their marriage of no kids, traveling and working, only for her to find out she’s pregnant. Cheating on Brooke with a man is one thing but to be pregnant when it was her idea to not have kids left Brooke shattered realizing what she gave up for her. Now her best friend has convinced her to do the online dating thing to get her feet wet after so many years married but the bartender has something to say. Taylor knows what the gorgeous blonde is going through. After her breakup, she has had a hard time finding someone. She will be turning thirty soon , Maybe I am ready for something more. When these two try to make a go of it, it is fun and flirty. But feelings are starting to show through but neither one wants to scare the other with talking about it. But when you don’t talk or say what you are feeling, things get misunderstood and before you know it what is so good is now so bad. A Must Read!
October 9, 2023
This book gave me so many feels. I really enjoyed how they started dating fairly early on and we got to just see them date and have fun for a while. So many romances have them pining for 200 pages first and I love a good slow burn but sometimes I just want to see them date and have a good time.
I felt the angst was done well. (Minor spoiler) as someone who lost her mom to cancer I felt for Brooke and my heart broke with her as I was taken back to that time.
Most of the angst could have been avoided by having a conversation but I feel that's pretty standard and I like some good angst.
All in all I felt like Brooke and Taylor were well rounded and their individual stories were fleshed out alongside their story together. We got to see them separately with friends and family and at work and then how that all intertwined with each other.
I felt the angst was done well. (Minor spoiler) as someone who lost her mom to cancer I felt for Brooke and my heart broke with her as I was taken back to that time.
Most of the angst could have been avoided by having a conversation but I feel that's pretty standard and I like some good angst.
All in all I felt like Brooke and Taylor were well rounded and their individual stories were fleshed out alongside their story together. We got to see them separately with friends and family and at work and then how that all intertwined with each other.
October 8, 2023
I loved this story so much. It wasn't really a slow burn because the MCs get together almost right away, but their relationship progressed through all the normal stages and it felt like a real romance between two real people....if those people never communicated their feelings. The thing is, I could understand how individually they could each make that decision, even if I wanted to shake them both a little. The only real negative I have about the book is that for some reason everywhere the book should have had "said" the author put "sounded" which was jarring each and every time. Otherwise great book, highly recommend.
December 3, 2023
There is something to be said about firsts. Toni Morrison talked about the difference between a first and third beer and it was a seminal description. Say You Love Me really can’t be compared to the author’s first book and perhaps in all fairness it shouldn’t be. The problem is though, I had that first beer and this feels like my third. There is nothing exceptionally glaring or wrong, it just didn’t quench any thirst. I like a good age gap trope, 10 years isn’t staggering, yet it can present some complications which it does. There is lots of smoke between the characters, but no real fire. It’s a very good storyline and a good read just don’t expect it to be 1,308 Days, and that’s fair.
September 14, 2023
Say You Love Me by Rachel Murphy is an intriguing age-gap, contemporary romance about two women navigating their developing feelings for one another. It’s about overcoming past hurts and insecurities while leaning into vulnerability. It has dynamic characters that are relatable and a plot line that is descriptive and engaging. The heavy elements are perfectly balanced with sweet and spicy moments to create a story that is both moving and memorable. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Rachel Murphy.
October 21, 2023
really emotional and great writing
This author spent a lot of time showing how her characters were thinking thru things. Its an art that most writers find difficult to do without outright tell the reader to think my way or the highway. This writer did her job well. The two women were diff age gap and you could clearly see the different levels of thought and how 30 vs 40 might find themselves not in sych. But then they fight to find that sync between them and to really fall deep and build a stronger bond. Loved the story and appreciated the good writing.
This author spent a lot of time showing how her characters were thinking thru things. Its an art that most writers find difficult to do without outright tell the reader to think my way or the highway. This writer did her job well. The two women were diff age gap and you could clearly see the different levels of thought and how 30 vs 40 might find themselves not in sych. But then they fight to find that sync between them and to really fall deep and build a stronger bond. Loved the story and appreciated the good writing.
June 11, 2024
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this story, especially the writing style. I think it’s easy for wlw stories to sometimes feel corny and unrealistic so I went in thinking this would be the case, which it was not! There’s some tense moments that might be a littttle drawn out, but easily forgotten about a page later.
I loved the way Brooke was written and portrayed, down to the little things like her texting style vs Taylors. This one’s good for those who love dramatic slow burns, and is probably my favorite sapphic read to date so far.
I loved the way Brooke was written and portrayed, down to the little things like her texting style vs Taylors. This one’s good for those who love dramatic slow burns, and is probably my favorite sapphic read to date so far.
February 13, 2024
This book was super cute and different than a lot of contemporary romances. I feel like it didn't rely on typical romance tropes and was almost painfully realistic IMO. The stress and anxiety of entering a new relationship, especially when you have been hurt badly by love is so well fleshed out in this story. I would have loved some more light hearted, non-sex, related scenes and more banter because I did love these 2 women, but it truly was a great read.
March 25, 2024
4.5 stars. I really liked this romance. I found their relationship very believable and the story evolved realistically. There are pining, insecurities, old relationship trauma, supporting friends, romance and almost too much angst in the book. I liked how their story took several months to build up. The attraction is instant but everything else takes its natural time.
I happened to read another book ('Handle With Care') with very similar starting point right after this and 'Say You Love Me' wins the contest without a doubt.
I happened to read another book ('Handle With Care') with very similar starting point right after this and 'Say You Love Me' wins the contest without a doubt.
September 27, 2023
I Greatly Enjoyed This
This was a lovely age gap romance that grabbed me from the beginning. My only complaint is that some of the communication difficulties towards the end seemed contrived. For a 290 page book, the first 200 pages were 4.5 to 5 stars. But the last 90 pages were more 3.5 stars, to me, at least.
Overall, I enjoyed this and I do recommend it!
This was a lovely age gap romance that grabbed me from the beginning. My only complaint is that some of the communication difficulties towards the end seemed contrived. For a 290 page book, the first 200 pages were 4.5 to 5 stars. But the last 90 pages were more 3.5 stars, to me, at least.
Overall, I enjoyed this and I do recommend it!
October 2, 2023
This book hits home
I feel like this book hit all the insecurities we can have after heartbreak. I absolutely loved the characters. I could feel their passion from the start. I actually cried. It was funny, passionate, frustrating. I was yelling at both of them the whole time lol.
I feel like this book hit all the insecurities we can have after heartbreak. I absolutely loved the characters. I could feel their passion from the start. I actually cried. It was funny, passionate, frustrating. I was yelling at both of them the whole time lol.
October 6, 2023
huh?
I never expected the younger person to have their stuff together more than the more seasoned person. But everyone has their own experiences and traumas to overcome. Brooke’s insecurities nearly burned the house down. I wasn’t expecting quite so much angst, but this is a very good story indeed.
I never expected the younger person to have their stuff together more than the more seasoned person. But everyone has their own experiences and traumas to overcome. Brooke’s insecurities nearly burned the house down. I wasn’t expecting quite so much angst, but this is a very good story indeed.
August 22, 2023
I melted... This consumed my weekend and I wish there were more chapters. I need a sequel please! (And also need to cool off... so much steam!) This was different from this author's first book which was also a very enjoyable read.
September 11, 2023
so special!
This was absolutely amazing! I loved this relationship so much! Everything from the friendships to the first dates clear through tot he end!
The sex was hot and damn was the angst there in full force!
Im a sucker for a happy ending and this definitely delivered!!
This was absolutely amazing! I loved this relationship so much! Everything from the friendships to the first dates clear through tot he end!
The sex was hot and damn was the angst there in full force!
Im a sucker for a happy ending and this definitely delivered!!
September 11, 2023
Why can't people just be open with each other?! The author had me on a roller coaster of emotions through the vivid descriptions that painted wild mental pictures, and through characters I liked and hated (everybody deserves a friend like Nina, and Michelle can shove off). Definitely a good read.
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